. i blame the gorgeous guy .

Sorry to leave you hanging last night, but it was one of those days where blogging just had to take a back seat to good old life. See, I was sitting in a crowded Bux planning on finishing up my post [like always], when all of a sudden I hear: “I don’t mean to intrude, but is this seat taken?” In a nutshell, what happened next included: looking up, seeing a gorgeous guy who I’d been eyeing from previous visits standing there, saying “No, go ahead,” talking for three hours, exchanging numbers, and writing no post.

I hope you guys won’t hold it against me 😉

Needless to say, my head is still more or less in the clouds at this point, so I figured it was the perfect opportunity to fill out a fun survey that I saw over at Alex’s blog not too long ago. Hope you guys are having a fabulous Sunday!

. – . – . – .

A is forage: Physically and legally, 27. In my head and heart, probably about 10. Squee!

Chunky homemade applesauce! I died. And speaking of dying, the lack of light at breakfast time is just killing me. Ugh.

C is for currently craving: I’m currently content on the food front, but I wouldn’t mind some sunshine.

D is for dinner tonight: Ok, I lied on the craving question. I’m kind of in the mood for some pizza tonight… but I’m headed over to Mom and Dad’s for dinner and I have no idea what’s on the menu.

E is for favorite type of exercise: Walking! And don’t even try telling me that it doesn’t make a good workout.

F is for irrational fear: Ok… Whenever I’m walking on the treadmill, I’m always afraid that my stride is going to be too long and that my back foot will slide off the end of the treadmill and chaos will ensue. It hasn’t happened [yet], but I’m pretty sure it’s because I’m paranoid and tend to take way smaller steps when I’m on the mill of doom.

G is for gross food: Well, aside from all of those weird ‘delicacies’ like monkey brains and what not, when it comes to more mainstream food, I’m not a big fan of fish, eggplant, olives, or blue cheese. Oh and by the way, I came across this article when Googling ‘gross food’ and I think it’s definitely worth reading if you want to be more conscious of what’s in some of the foods you’re buying in the grocery store: The Fifteen Grossest Foods You’re Eating.

H is for hometown: Edmonton, Alberta; or E-town as we lovingly call it up here.

I is for something important: Gratitude. I think that counting your blessings and focusing on what you have rather than on what you think you lack is so important when it comes to finding true happiness.

J is for current favorite jam: Blueberry 😉 Especially with cream cheese on toast.

K is for kids: Adorable. Love them. Some day.

L is for current location: Starbucks, third booth from the door 😉

M is for the most recent way you spent money: My cappuccino, like, 15 minutes ago. Money well spent.

N is for something you need: Someone to do my laundry… Please? I have cookies…

O is for occupation: I like to refer to my current position at work as: “Doer of whatever it is that needs doing.” Right now I’m helping manage things at our family-owned business while volunteering and working on my apps for grad school. Dream job? Sometimes – I love the flexibility and pretty much being able to be my own boss – but ultimately I plan on going back to school for counselling psych. Or maybe I’ll just write… God, wouldn’t that be great…

P is for pet peeve: Bad drivers. I don’t know what it is, but my tolerance level goes down a few [hundred] notches whenever I get behind the wheel of a car. I’m not one of those crazy people that starts honking, yelling, and flipping the bird, but if you suck at driving and get in my way then I’m probably saying mean things about you in my head.

Q is for a quote: “Trust yourself. Think for yourself. Act for yourself. Speak for yourself. Imitation is suicide.”

R is for random fact about you: I have a mild case of tinnitus, which basically means that I hear a quiet ringing in my ears at all times. I’ve gotten so used to it that 95% of the time I don’t even notice the noise.

S is for favorite healthy snack: Basically anything that involves bananas, almond butter, and chocolate. It’s funny. I was reading over some old posts, and apparently this combo has been a favorite of mine for quite some time now.

T is for favorite treat: Hitting up the mall to buy clothes, makeup, shoes, and other fun girly things. I try to limit my spending in that area because I have [freakin’ expensive] groceries to buy and a mortgage to pay, but every now and then I love to go in and pick up a few things.

U is for something that makes you unique: My uncanny ability to pack away half a watermelon in one sitting on a daily basis? The fact that I’ve never read any of the Harry Potter books or seen the movies?

V is for favorite vegetable: Hmm. This one has gone through some changes over the past year, mostly because of what my stomach can and can’t handle. Where my favorite veggie used to be either broccoli or roasted squash, I’d have to say that corn now holds that title, especially when it’s been grilled…

W is for today’s workout: Nada – Sunday’s are for rest. But yesterday I managed to do a relaxed version of my regular weekend workout, and a 3 mile walk. How do I know it was 3 miles? Because the treadmill told me so. Why was I on the mill of doom? Because it’s too cold to be outside

X is for X-rays you’ve had:Too many to remember at the dentist, and a lot on my right knee from when I shattered my kneecap in a snowboarding accident many years ago.

Reader Interactions

Comments

girl, no way! that kind of number exchange is something I seriously wish would happen to me, I swear it only happens on tv and in movies. I am so jealous but mostly happy for you. I can’t wait to hear more. Look at you stud. I am with you on grilled veggies, my favorite. Makes any veggie taste better

Ahhhh!!! Cute boys are ALWAYS worth slacking — on school, on the blog, whatever it may be. 😀 Here’s to going for the good stuff! 😉
Also, staying on the cute theme — cute shoes!! Love them!
I’m ditto on the writing. I love it and if I could get paid to do it (part time, full time, don’t care!!), I would be in HEAVEN. On that note — I love reading your writing and will write a letter of recommendation to ANY publisher you would ever approach. Just sayin’.
Shout out to fellow Canadians (holla! eh!). And totally missing the sun already as well.
Loved this post (almost as much as I love banana, AB/PB, chocolate combos) and if you hadn’t mentioned the boy, wouldn’t have known you cut a corner, but so thankful you mentioned him!!

That’s so interesting that you have tinnitus – I never heard of it! Out of curiousity, how did you find out you had it? I mean, have you always had it? Did you think that the ringing was what everyone else experienced, before you realized it was tinnitus? LOL sorry for being nosy, but I sometimes hear a ringing in my ear as well, and I’m not sure if it’s just typical of what everyone else has normally!

I’ve had it for as long as I can remember, so yeah I always thought it was pretty normal… and I think that most people experience some degree of it anyways. What made me finally pay more attention to it was the fact that it tends to get really bad when I’m super stressed and the pitch of the ringing changes a lot so it’s harder to ignore…. like usually it’s just a steady, subtle noise, but when it gets bad it starts to sound like morse code.

Oh how awesome did this post start out!! I’m excited for you too! And I have totally fallen on a treadmill- not because of my stride being too long, but extremely embarrassing and sore nonetheless. I wouldn’t run on a treadmill for years after. Haha.

I hate eggplant. (like absolutely despise, want to throw it across the room if one ever appear near me – level of hate)
And green olives (black ones are acceptable though).
And blue cheese.
And my favourite jam is blueberry.
Meant to be friends? I think so. :-p

And expect this to be stolen sometime in the future, I love me a good survey. 😀

Awww that’s such a cute meet-up story! I’m thinkin’ I need to spend more time in Starbucks and maybe that’ll happen to me 😉

X-rays I’ve had: at the dentist/orthodontist, one on my left wrist, one on my right ankle, one on my right foot and an MRI for my right ankle too. I feel like I’ve very accident-prone but luckily I’ve only had one major injury, an ankle fracture when I was in 4th grade. Not fun, but I loved getting a glow-in-the dark cast and getting everyone to sign it though!

Loved all your answers, Amanda…always fun to learn more about a blogger :)! Your irrational fear made me laugh! I have this weird fear of tripping whenever I’m walking down the stairs. It doesn’t work in my favor that I climb up & down stairs in my office at least 6-7 times a day.

Have you ever considered writing as a profession? I truly mean it when I say that you have a skill, and one that I think can take you very far. Even in your relatively longer post, I read every word because your style of writing is so gripping.

Oh and you’re not the only one who hasn’t read Harry Potter! I watched the first one (peer pressure) and wanted to kill myself during it…SO monotonous!

And nowww I want to hear about this guy! Hope some digits were exchanged ;)!

Awwwr thank you Khushboo. Writing is something that I’ve been thinking of pursuing for a while now actually, but the thought is so daunting and I’m afraid of giving up the ‘safe’ career route to put all my focus into being a writer… especially because of all of the struggling writer horror stories that you hear! But at the same time… ugh… it would really suck not to pursue my dreams solely because of fear. So torn.

Well that’s just how much I needed – your number might be different, but never go below 2500. As for knowing when to stop, it’s not easy to pinpoint an exact time where it’s alright to transition into maintenance, but you should be at a healthy weight that allows your body and mind to function the way that they should, which means that your period comes back and the food obsessions/fears stop.

It’s been a dream of mine for quite some time to meet a dreamy man in a coffee shop. There’s something so–dare I say it–sexy about that? I wouldn’t usually associate “coffee” with “sexy,” but when we’re discussing an ideal first “date” (and that’s what it sounds like you may have had!), then it totally works. I’m feeling some of your giddiness, Amanda! 😀

I’ll gladly do your laundry in exchange for cookies! I’ve wanted to visit Alberta ever since I did a report on the province when I was in 6th grade. 😉 Can I put in a special request for those amazing fig and date oatmeal bars you made a few weeks ago?

I agree with you about grilled corn–absolutely delicious. When I studied abroad in Mexico for a semester during college, I ate an ear (or three) every day. I love it plain, but while I was living there, I learned that it’s even more delicious drizzled in crema, queso fresco and paprika!

You’d make a wonderful counselor/psychologist, but if you choose to “just” write, I have no doubt that you’ll positively impact millions. What you’re doing here is already so meaningful to so many of us!

That is so exciting! I might I have to steel this survey! I do think never reading the HP series does make you super unique LOL. That is awesome though. Unique for me? I grew up and went to British school, moved to southern VA and then Northern NY. Therefore I have a hillbilly british accent LOL

Wow, sounds like a scene out of a movie! Definitely a great excuse for taking a post off! I love surveys anyways I have read that grossest foods article before and will never ever buy canned mushrooms ever ever again!

Ha Ha, love your answer to current location: “Starbucks, third booth from the door”.. cracked me up! &&&… you must tell me all about this gorgeous guy? What is going on w/ the two of you. Spill the beans girl <3

What a fun post! Love learning all these fun facts! i’m definitely craving some sunshine too! I miss the summer! Occupation for me is currently a mix of everything: Group fitness instructor, nutrition coach, lululemon educator….hopefully someday a full time nutritionist! Dying to hear details on the boy!!!

ahhhh! kekekekkkekekekekke ackkkk I’m choking from the excitement and giddiness………..:D That encounter is so like, You’ve Got Mail type of a feel! And I just love how you described it, because we girls can be such suckers for cute stories. PLEASE keep us updated! Hopefully he’s a genuine person, no matter how it all turns out!
Ps: I’m like you too and love to do things at coffee shops! Purty cool

Meeting a cute boy at Starbucks! Your life is a movie! I love it, that’s the best reason to skip a post Life is more important! I’m judging you slightly for not reading any of the Harry potter books…not sure we can be friends anymore (haha, jk) but I seriously love HP! You gotta get around to reading them, I swear they’re worth all the hype.

Yay! So happy you met a cute man Amanda! That is pretty darn exciting, and a great excuse to skip out on a post! I also love these surveys, the perfect cure for writer’s block:) I also love to get to know more about you. Yep, I’m 22 and I’m definitely 8 years old at heart! My whole family made fun of me yesterday for watching a Charlie Brown Halloween movie. I can’t help I like to watch those movies to get into the holiday spirit ha ha.

You walk on a treadmill?? I always thought that when you said your workout was walking you meant you went for a walk outside, lol. I can’t imagine that, so you spend about an hour on a treadmill walking?

When I read your post, I thought you met that guy on a bus and then I read the comments above – he asked to sit next to you in Starbucks? That really sounds like a movie, hee!

I was going for walks outside until the weather turned nasty. And nooooo, I can never do the whole distance in one stretch – I’d go crazy with boredom. I usually break it up into 2 or 3 random sessions throughout the day, depending on how much I’m feeling it.

Oolala! That’s the sort of happening that dreams are made of…I’m rooting for you 😉

I despise blue cheese as well, which is odd because I adore cheese. But blue cheese…no…just no… BUT, dear Amanda, the fact that you haven’t read any HP books makes me die a little inside. How can we remain blog friends?!? All your food photos are the last link holding me on. Joke joke…you know I adore you

Ahhh, how exciting! ‘Manda’s gettin her groooooove on! Haha! Love it! And what a story to tell the grandchildren one day…sorry, couldn’t help myself! 😉

I thought I was like the ONLY person who has never seen the HP movies or read the books! I keep saying I’m going to read all of the books first and then have a movie marathon weekend, but DANG have you seen the size of some of those things?! I can barely get my ADD under control long enough to read one blog post without getting lost in the interwebs! Lol

What an adorable post!!! That is the cutest, and lots of yummy food on there, the applesauce looks particularly good! Too bad I am carbo-loading the next few days, so most my food is PURE carbs….but after the marathon, may have to give it a try!

I love the idea of this post….shame it was a long time ago….waaayyy behind the curve huh! Maybe I can bring it back I loved learning lots of little interesting facts about you!